– Scripture:

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14–16  “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

                          Matthew 5:13–16 (MSG): 13

– Reflection:

              Light It Up Right Where You Are

The strongest evidence that we are where God wants us in our jobs, careers, and cities is simply that we’re there. God knows where we are. He sees us. He is with us. There is a plan. King David sang to God, “in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them”. So, where we are right now is no accident. And until further notice, which may come, we’ve got to assume that where we are is where he wants us to be for specific reasons, for his specific purposes.

Where do we go from here?

Jesus tells us not to hide the light that radiates from us when we follow him: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Our lights dim, however, when we get too comfortable with the cultures of the places where we find ourselves in our jobs, in our careers, and our cities. We must, therefore, resist adoption, whether conscious or subconscious, of the prevailing beliefs, codes, or values of those places. We follow Christ. We believe him. That’s our code. Our values are his values.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank You for not creating me to hide my sins and weaknesses from You. Thank You that we can come to You and unload all the condemnation, fear, and feelings of unworthiness. We believe You have washed away our sins and poured out Your goodness upon us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.